Tunisian Theater Festival "Moasam Al-Ibdaa" to Conclude with Premiere of "The Seagull" and Award Ceremony

The fourth edition of Tunisia's national theater festival "Moasam Al-Ibdaa" is set to conclude on November 7, 2026, at 6 pm in the capital city's fourth art hall. The closing ceremony will feature the premiere of "The Seagull," a play adapted from Anton Chekhov's work, directed by Moez Marabti, who is also the director of the Tunisian Theater Foundation. The play, produced by the National Theater Foundation, will run for 110 minutes.

"The Seagull" features a talented cast, including Fatma Ben Saidane, Iskandar Al-Hantati, Abd al-Karim Al-Banani, Hajar Al-Zaydi, and Mohamed Shouki Khouja, among others. The play's production team comprises experts in various theater fields, with Abir Al-Qamri as assistant director, Salih Baraka and Marwa Al-Mansouri handling costumes, and Hani Al-Hamadi and Karim Al-Thlibi in charge of music and sound effects.

The festival, which began on October 23, 2026, in the city of Kairouan, has featured 14 theater productions competing in the official competition, with two shows per day at the fourth art hall and Theatro from October 31 to November 6, 2026. The festival's opening ceremony featured the play "Hawas," directed by Zuhair Al-Aroum, which was produced by Haptos Production and Distribution with support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

The festival will award several prizes, including individual awards for directing, playwriting, scenography, and acting, each valued at 10,000 dinars. The grand prize for Tunisian theatrical creativity, awarded to the most integrated work, is worth 30,000 dinars. In addition to the official prizes, the festival will also give out encouraging awards for best theatrical image, best theatrical video, and best theatrical critical article, each valued at 1,500 dinars.

A jury composed of Mona Nur al-Din, Ghazi Al-Zaghbani, Munira Zakrawi, and Nisaaf Ben Hafseya will oversee the award selection process. The festival's activities are part of the founding events of the Kairouan Middle Theater Meeting. The Tunisian theater scene has seen significant contributions from various artists, including the late Tofig Al-Jabali, who was recently honored at the festival.

Moez Marabti's adaptation of "The Seagull" explores themes of love, death, and the complexities of human relationships. The play's narrative revolves around the Sorin estate, which appears to be a woman wrapped in a man's blanket, surrounded by a lake that seems to hover above it at night. The story delves into the characters' struggles with time, identity, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion.

As the festival concludes, the Tunisian theater community comes together to celebrate the country's rich cultural heritage and the talents of its artists. The event provides a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work, fostering creativity and innovation in the Tunisian theater scene. The festival's success highlights the importance of continued support for the arts in Tunisia.

Key points

• The festival features 14 theater productions competing in the official competition.
• The grand prize for Tunisian theatrical creativity is worth 30,000 dinars.
• The festival's jury comprises Mona Nur al-Din, Ghazi Al-Zaghbani, Munira Zakrawi, and Nisaaf Ben Hafseya.